BellefonteAreaHigh School

Course number 2216/2244, Athletes in Action: Beyond the Glory/The Untold Story, 2ndSemester 2011-12

Instructor: / Larry Walker
Office Location: / BHS Room 143
Telephone: / (814) (355-4833 ex 8143)
Email: / ()
Office Hours: / (M-F 8:00am- 3:15 pm)
Class Days/Time: / (M,T,W,TH,FRI)
Classroom: / (Room 143)
Prerequisites: / (legally enrolled in the BASD)
Grades: / (9-12)

Course Web Page

Copies of the course materials such as the syllabus, major assignment handouts, etc. may be found on my faculty web page at BASD.net, click high school web page and then navigate to the library media center. Then click on social studies project page where you will then find my name. Click on walker’s page and you will have arrived to the main information page for this course. You are responsible for regularly checking the website. (or other communication system as indicated by the instructor).

Course Description

Athletes in Action: Beyond the Glory/Outside the Lines

This nine week min-course will go in-depth into some of the most controversial and the most influential sports figures and teams in the last thirty years. How greats such as Muhammad Ali, influenced the political landscape worldwide. We will also look into the athletic scandals in the last thirty years that have changed the way our society views athletes. Some of the topics will include the baseball steroid era and the Olympians who have put success before integrity.

Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives

BASD/Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to (SWBAT):

  • Analyze the sporting climate of the culture they currently live in and compare that climate to previous decades
  • Interpret data that illustrates the importance sport and sporting events has on our culture.
  • Compare our society’s social, political, educational, religious obstacles in athletics to the same issues from the past thirty years.
  • Self questioning- How sports directly or indirectly affects the lives of so many.
  • Evaluate how powerful political leaders of countries have utilized sports to bring a country together in times of despair.

BASD Course Content Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to attain 21st Century Learning Skills:

  • Make Connections with past, present and the future.
  • Become independent thinkers and problem solvers
  • Contributors to Society
  • Find meaning in their work and future role as a parent
  • Make Global comparisons
  • Become self-directed and take initiative
  • Validate their findings in this class to solve future problems
  • Critical thinkers
  • Have the ability to listen effectively and empathize with others

Required Texts/Readings

Textbook

100 Athletes who shaped Sports History.

Breaking Barriers. Athletes who led the way.

Outstanding Women Athletes: Who they are and how theyinfluenced sports in America

Other Readings

ESPN the Magazine

Other equipment / material requirements

Google Docs- Is a power point project that I will be able to give immediate feedback to. I will provide the students with the do’s and don’ts when project timeline is completed

Poll everywhere- A great concept that will allow the students to use their cell phones during class. Let me clarify- This is the only time that they will be allowed to use their cell phones. Unlimited text is highly suggested. Students that do not have a cell phone can borrow fellow classmates.

Survey Monkey- On-line survey program that will provide me with statistical data to evaluate prior knowledge, understanding and development.

Essay- The major writing component of the marking period will be required. The Social Studies adopted essay writing format will be used for this assignment. The topic questions will be provided to each student by the teacher.

Final Project Presentation- Students will be required to make a 5-10 minute presentation on their topic. Presentation requirements will be fulfilled throughout the marking period. The students are asked to put it all together in a final project. The project will give the students a variety of options to use from interviews, video, Google power points, graphic organizers and Content Enhancement Routines

Library Liaison

Candace Packer. , Bellefonte High School Librarian and CFF coach.

Classroom Protocol -The 4 “B’s”

Be Safe

Be respectful and caring of others

Be a Learner

Be Responsible

Dropping and Adding

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current Bellefonte Guidance Department guidelines for dropping and Adding courses.

Assignments and Grading Policy

Participation- Student will be required to participate in class discussions on a daily basis. To be active in class discussions students must be in attendance.

Portfolio- The students will be provided with a pocket folder to collect work and resources throughout the marking period. This can be checked on a weekly basis if I feel it is necessary. I will keep their individual portfolios in class unless students are in need of them.

Prepared- Students are expected to bring material essential for the daily lesson. That may include outside reading or viewing a scheduled film or television program.

Respectful- Students will be respectful of classmates, teachers and other outside guests. The topics that will be covered will have entirely different views and those views will be respected.

The assignments throughout the marking period will challenge the students who have taken the course. The assignments will incorporate effective writing and verbal skills and combine them with technology. I have provided a number of Instructional Technology tools for the students to implement. The student will find this course rigorous and relevant to their future as productive citizens. We will analyze the social and cultural aspects of sports and how they have changed society and the way we live. In the summer of 2010, ESPN launched a documentary series titled 30 for 30. The documentary series is dedicated to world sporting events over the last thirty years of ESPN’s existence. Each movie makes a connection with social and cultural issues of the time period. Our challenge is to take the finding and connect them to our present day culture. The trailers of all thirty documentaries provide a general idea of what will be covered:

The students will each be assigned an individual DVD from the 30 for 30 series. They will explore their chosen topic in depth, creating life connections. We will be using several multimedia resources and 21st century skills during the nine weeks. Students will be expected to follow the BASD Acceptable Use Policy for all projects and classroom activities. Failure to follow the policy will result in removal from the computers as well as impact their grade.

The approved Bellefonte Area School District Grading Policy will be implemented. I have provided the grading scale below:

BASD Grading Scale

Percentage Grade Letter Grade Equivalent Weighted Percentage Grade

93% - 100% A 97% - 107%

83% - 92% B 86% - 98%

73% - 82% C 76% - 88%

65% - 72% D

Below 65% F

Grades are determined and recorded as percentages.

For purposes of comparison, letter grade equivalents are listed above.

In addition, the weighted percentage grade is also shown.

BASD Policies

All student conduct policies will be followed for this course and the policies can be found at the following link:

Student Technology Resources

Computer labs for student will be available throughout the marking period. The lab dates have been set and a calendar of upcoming lab time will be forwarded to the students ahead of time.

A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from the High School Media center. These items include flip cameras, headphones, projections screens and computers. Ms. Packer must be notified when and how you will intend on using the resources.

LearningAssistanceResourceCenter

The Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) is located upstairs on the second floor in Room 206 (Ms. Bonchack). It is designed to assist students in the development of their full academic potential and to inspire them to become independent learners.

BASD Tutorial Service /WritingCenter

The BASD tutorial service gives students the opportunity to receive free assistance in core subject areas. The Tutoring sessions are after school Monday- Thursday and meet from 3:30- 5:30. The tutorial rooms can be found in rooms 209 and 150. The tutorial rooms are staffed by Pennsylvania certified instructors. Writing and Math skills can be provided upon request. The Instructors are highly qualified to meet the needs of all students at all levels.

2216/2244 Athletes in Action: Beyond the Glory and Outside the lines. 2nd Semester/3rd and 4th nine weeks. The agenda for the semester including when and where the final exam will be held is listed below.

Table 1 Course Schedule

Week / Date / Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
1 / 1/26 / Survey Monkey
2 / 1/31 / Survey Results,21st Century Skills, Classroom Packets/folders
View Trailers, Lesson Organizers, Review 30 for 30, poll everywhere, BDA worksheet, Teacher Presentation
3 / 2/7 / Continue Teacher led presentation, Lab work, intro to Google docs, students view assigned documentary, 21st century skills
4 / 2/14 / Complete BDA worksheet, presentation sign-up, google voice, lab work, essay writing research and write, teacher topics hand-out
5 / 2/21 / Teacher lesson, poll everywhere, essay, google power point presentation, Tic Tac Toe
6 / 2/28 / Begin Google power point, Final Essay, Lab work
7 / 3/7 / Presentations begin
8 / 3/14 / Finish with presentations, portfolios due
9 / 3/28 / Final Exam Room 143